DE3728291A1 - Process and apparatus for arranging and holding a plurality of pack units in a common receiving container - Google Patents

Abstract

The individual bottles (3) are to be placed and held in the compartments of the bottle case in such a rotary position that the label (E) remains visible on the outside. For this purpose, the label is located above the holding tabs (7) bearing resiliently against the bottle (3). There serves for the rotational adjustment a gripping head (32) with a gripping cap (33) which can be slipped over the bottle head and the interior of which can be connected to a vacuum source (44) via the rotary connection (41) and the change-over valve (42) and thereby couples the bottle (3) to the pressure-medium motor (40). This motor is controlled by a sensing device (29) which senses the edge (48) of the label (E) and which, via the transducer (50), breaks the vacuum connection to the gripping cap (33). The rotational adjustment can also be made with the bottle raised in its rotary mounting by the gripping cap (33), whereupon, in particular, the bottle is lowered in between the holding tabs (7). Furthermore, rotation prevention can be achieved by means of an attached rim or inserted wedge elements. The rotating operation can be initiated simultaneously for all the bottles of a case, but termination should take place according to the individual sensing value. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method for parallel arrangement and holding a plurality of package units on one Side surface are marked in one common receptacle, the amount of the label has at least one viewing window in a side wall especially for those placed in bottle crates and attached to theirs Coat labeled beverage bottles.

Packing units of the type defined here usually have one cylindrical outer surface, mostly it is beverage bottle the, each in individual recording compartments Plastic box stand and through windows in the sides walls of the plastic box are visible from the outside. These Packing units consistently carry on their outer surface a label. That can be an order or quality but it is usually labels that are for to advertise the product.  

Packing units with a prismatic cross section sometimes adjusted so that they do not turn can. However, bottles are mostly rotatable and who brought in randomly in any rotation setting. On the other hand, this rotary setting changes during the Transport.

Proposals are also known for cylindrical packs such as beer bottles better in their compartments support and thereby also better the label bring without changing the original rotary setting something is changed.

The invention is based on the Ver drive and pursue the task of making this procedure possible as simple as possible so that quickly and conveniently at least one pack unit positive in one Attitude is brought and held in which their Kenn drawing remains reliably visible from the outside.

In the method according to the invention, at least one Packing unit during or after the setting process

• a) to an axis of rotation predetermined in the receptacle centered,
• b) rotated about this axis of rotation and
• c) stopped when the marking behind the Window appears
• d) wherein the packing unit at least according to the Rotation adjustment against rotation around the axis of rotation is braked or set.

In this way it does not matter in what order the individual packing units be set. The required rotary position is for at least one of these pack units  put and then this unit in the position reached in the label is clearly visible from the outside. Especially when everyone is behind a window Bottles are brought into the respective presentation position, it doesn't matter whether one of these fla again leaves the exact setting. The visible then labeling, especially the label basically guaranteed.

After a first suggestion for further training, the position the label related to the window during the shoot the process in particular touch-free and the Turning process ends when the marking is clearly visible in the Window appears. For example, this can be done conditions that the packing unit by applying a counter stopped above the driving torque greater torque becomes. However, the packaging unit can also be inserted in the receptacle of a holding or braking force and then exposed to a controllably removable torque that is greater than the braking torque. Most of all can use several holding or braking forces as Centering forces radial to the axis of rotation on the packing unit be brought into effect.

In principle, holding and torque can be the same place. However, it has proven to be useful proven the braking or holding and / or centering forces the foot section, the torque transmitting forces on the Exercise head part of the packing unit.

The rotation is expedient in the case of bottle crates moment via a gripping head encompassing the bottle head applied, for example by coupling to a drive unit.

Leave the rotation setting of the individual packing units successively by at least one type  Make drive or clutch unit, on the other hand can also several, in particular all packaging units of one order receiving container are rotated together, provided they can only be switched off individually by the rotary drive.

Adequate retention of the packaging units To get even during transport operations, sometimes Holding torque so large that it is difficult to apply the necessary setting torques. This before especially when all packing units are against the braking resistor should be turned. In this case it is advisable to change the packing units, especially after Lifting out of their brake holder in the receptacle, to hang freely in the given rotational position and there then lower into the brake bracket. If the rotation setting can be done with the insertion device, exercise the previous weaning and interim Lift out before setting.

The invention further relates to a device for parallel arrangement and holding a plurality of packing units ( 3 ), which are seen on a side surface with a label, in a common receptacle which has at least one viewing window in the side wall at the level of the label, in particular for Beverage bottles placed in bottle crates and provided with a label on their jacket, which have at least a viewing window in the side wall at the level of the marking, with the following features:

• a) the receptacle has centering means for Zen at least one Pac unit and
• b) actuators for preferably non-positive Define the packing unit in its rotational position  on;
• c) an adjusting device for turning the im Receptacle standing packing unit has to this attachable and removable dome element on;
• d) are also a key device for feeling the Rotational position of the packing unit and
• e) a control device for ending the turning operation total of the packing unit depending on its turntable provided.

Such a device automatically enables adjustment len and defining the packing units in the receptacle. Adjustment device, touch device and control device are expediently provided in a setting station or attached to a movable support that one on top of the other the following about packing units in a given position or is applied at any changing positions.

The design of the opening is particularly important receptacle of the package designed as bottles to.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the is as a recording container serving bottle crate, its over a crate floor formed between window side walls Recording space in storage areas for individuals with labels provided bottles is divided, for the purpose of braking the bottles against rotation about their axis with at their feet partly indirectly or directly attacking braking and Provide Hall effect agents. In this way, the fla reliably put them in their middle position and even with different transport loads keep aligned and secure in their respective rotational position. The Clamping force from inherent elasticity can be so here be chosen large so that the bottles are no longer free  let out, but against the resistance of the stops forces must be pulled out positively. This will happen before all by lifting out or inserting after Errei Chen the given rotational position allows.

It has proven to be useful to brake and Holding means in the corner rooms of the receiving compartments in particular to be arranged in pairs. These braking and holding devices can be used to connect horizontally or vertically axles attached to or from the compartment walls be molded out and so far into the recording space for the Project the bottle that is observed by inserting the bottle gripping forces arise. The holding elements can Apply more tangentially to the circumference of the bottle but radial and thereby create the desired centering. This box shape is also useful when the bottles filled in differently than mentioned and if necessary be rotated.

Further designs and advantages of the invention result from the following description of an embodiment based on the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a shock after the Erfindungsvor usable bottle crate,

Fig. 2 is a view from above on this box at the end of the adjustment process,

Fig. 3 is a partial view of the same box with cut-away side wall,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a unit for a single beverage bottle and the unit

Fig. 5-7 three partial sections through a currently preferred embodiment of a bottle crate.

In the drawing, ( 1 ) denotes a bottle crate made of plastic, which in twelve square receiving sections ( 2 ) receives a rotationally symmetrical beverage bottle ( 3 ), which carries a label ( E ) on its cylindrical jacket part ( 4 ). Your foot part ( 6 ) is centered by means of shaped holding tabs ( 7 ) in the center of the receiving compartment ( 2 ) to an imaginary axis of rotation ( 8 ). Above all, these retaining tabs ( 7 ) act as a brake against rotation of the bottle.

The bottle crate has longer side walls ( 11 ) and shorter side walls ( 12 ). The intermediate receiving space is divided into twelve receiving compartments ( 2 ) by longitudinal dividing walls ( 13 ) and transverse dividing walls ( 14 ).

The side walls are reinforced in a known manner by longitudinal and transverse webs ( 15 , 16 ) and connected by a mostly lattice-shaped bottom ( 17 ) and an upper handle bar ( 18 ) and four corner bars ( 19 ) usually designed as hollow bodies.

In the box shown, only edge parts of the side walls ( 11 , 12 ) have remained, which are connected by a cross belt ( 20 ). A wide window ( 21 ) is attached below the handle strip ( 18 ) above the cross belt ( 20 ), including a somewhat narrower window ( 22 ) that allows the view of the label ( E ) of two bottles ( 3 ) of the longer side wall ( 11 ) and a bottle of the shorter side wall ( 12 ) releases. An edge part ( 23 ) drawn up from the bottom also ends below the label ( E ). Its height is therefore less than the distance of the label from the bottom surface of the bottle ( 3 ).

The bottles ( 3 ) have such a diameter that they each in the middle of the side and partition walls ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ) delimiting their receiving compartment with little play of only about 0.1 to 0.2 mm or with little Excessive concerns. Between the bottle and the dividing walls separating the compartment, gusset-shaped corner spaces ( 24 ) are formed in which the retaining tabs ( 7 ) are attached so that they do not impair the available space for the bottles. In the exemplary embodiment, the retaining tabs ( 7 ) are each attached to an adjacent boundary wall with one end, while the other protrudes inwardly in the area of the bottle and thereby generates sufficient contact forces on the bottle, which centering on the axis of rotation ( 8 ) and braking against a rotational movement about this axis.

Each bottle is thus held and centered at twelve circumferential locations and is braced inwards at at least eight of these circumferential locations. Since the holding tabs ( 7 ) protrude slightly into the receiving space for the bottles without tension, their upper ends are provided with a rounding ( 25 ) in order to facilitate the sinking in of the bottles ( 3 ). It goes without saying that these holding tabs can have any suitable known shape, for example sloping downward, bow-shaped or bowl-shaped, and that instead of such tabs any holding or braking elements can be stuck over or onto the bottles or the bottle bundle, for once to secure the assumed rotational position.

Since it is important in this rotational position to be able to present the identification or the label to the interested party through the windows ( 21 , 22 ) of the side walls, an adjusting device ( 27 ) which is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in a schematic representation is provided, which can be controlled by a control device ( 28 ) as a function of a push button device ( 29 ). It is initially assumed that only one bottle is set. This is sufficient if the adjusting device is seen so far that it can be moved in any sequence from one bottle to the other. Expediently, however, all bottles ( 3 ) which are freely visible from the outside are set at the same time, as is also made possible by the basic embodiment in FIGS. 3 and 4.

There, the adjusting device ( 27 ) is attached to a liftable and lowerable plate ( 39 ), on which the touch device ( 29 ) is also possibly held firmly, but which can also be arranged in a fixed position.

An essential part of the adjustment device is a gripping head ( 32 ), as it has long been in use in a similar form when filling and lifting bottles in bottle crates.

This gripping head ( 32 ) has a tulip-like gripping cap ( 33 ) made of rubber or comparable soft elastic material, the clear insertion width is greater than the cross section of the bottle head ( 34 ) or the closure cap, so that the cap is light - as on the left edge part ( 35 ) in Fig. 3 - is lowered across and encloses the bottle head with a correspondingly shaped cap space ( 36 ). If the air is sucked out of this intermediate space, the cap, as shown on the right-hand edge part ( 351 ) in FIG. 3, rests on the bottle neck. The adhesive force achieved is so great that the bottle with its contents can be lifted. Therefore, the torque to be applied in this way is generally greater than the braking torque to be applied, for example, by the retaining tabs ( 7 ).

The upper part of the cap ( 33 ) is reinforced by a metal plate ( 37 ) which is connected via a hollow shaft ( 38 ) to the rotor (not shown) of a pressure medium motor ( 40 ) fixedly attached to the plate ( 39 ). The hollow shaft ( 38 ) is guided upwards through this motor to a rotary connection ( 41 ) which is connected to a changeover valve ( 42 ) arranged fixed to the device. The changeover valve ( 42 ) normally connects the interior of the hollow shaft ( 38 ) and thus the cap space ( 36 ) via the line ( 43 ) to a vacuum source ( 44 ), usually a suction fan, in order to achieve the required suction and holding force. In the other switching position, the cap space ( 36 ) is connected to the atmosphere by the connector ( 45 ) and the holding force is released in the process.

The key device ( 29 ) serves primarily to control this process. Your probe beam ( 30 ) is directed to a predetermined line of the label ( E ) and responds when the contrast caused by the edge ( 48 ) of the label brightness or color tone between the outer surface of the label or the rotating bottle is detected. The pulse caused by this is communicated through the lines ( 49 ), possibly by means of signal amplifiers, to the electropneumatic converter ( 50 ) of the control unit ( 28 ), which switches the switching valve ( 42 ) out of its pneumatic control part ( 501 ) via a line ( 51 ) ) is actuated and the coupling between the gripping head ( 32 ) and the bottle ( 3 ) is released by venting the cap chamber ( 36 ).

At the same time, the pressure medium motor ( 40 ), which may still be connected to the vacuum source ( 44 ), can be switched off by closing the line ( 53 ). If the vacuum source ( 44 ) is formed by a suction fan, the motor can also be switched on to the pressure side of the fan and possibly controlled by line ( 53 ) from the second control part ( 502 ). In this way, the release of the bottle is accelerated and the accuracy of the shutdown is improved. Apart from that, the switching time or the position of the scanning beam ( 30 ) must be determined in experiments.

Instead of initially applying a friction or holding force bring, this can also be done after the rotary setting, by somehow, for example through a wreath or the like. or wedge elements used the bottles in their compartments with sufficient rotational resistance.

The representation can be used to modify the exemplary embodiment of the bottles in a contactless manner in other ways, for example through on order of a radiating outside the light wave range Particles on the label, electrically inductive or also mecha be scanned when the label is about a light has a thickened edge.

Furthermore, a common drive motor can mechanically drive the different bottles, with braking again by opening a clutch. The control of the individual braking processes can be carried out separately from the common control device ( 28 ). If the holding force of a brake holder compared to the available torque is too large, it may be appropriate to first lift all bottles out of the holding tabs using their gripping heads ( 32 ), then turn them into the intended rotational position and then back into the position countersink formed by the holding rag ( 7 ) brake bracket. In this way, especially when the rotary drive can be terminated immediately, especially with electronic fine control, great setting accuracy can be achieved with low forces and great retention when transporting the bottle crates with large holding and braking forces.

The embodiment of the bottle crate shown in FIGS . 5 to 7 has proven to be optimal. Here you can also see the grid-shaped bottom ( 17 ) with the side walls ( 11 ) and ( 12 ), the corner strips ( 19 ) connecting these, which are reinforced here by an inner shell ( 55 ), the intermediate walls ( 13 ) and ( 14 ), on which the retaining tabs ( 7 ) are formed. The cross-section of the bottle ( 3 ) shown in FIG. 5 also shows how far these retaining tabs are deflected out of their rest position when the bottle is inserted and which clamping forces are thereby created. The curves ( 25 ) are even more pronounced there and show how much easier it is to insert the bottles in order to apply the holding voltage during the further insertion path. The windows ( 21 ) can also be seen under the handle of the same height ( 18 ), while the lower windows do not protrude because of the cutting line.

In principle, at least part of a side wall can also be used made of transparent plastic. Likewise, use the wall part separately as an advertising medium, for example through Brackets for interchangeable advertising boxes.

Claims (27)

1. A method for arranging and holding a plurality of packaging units in parallel, which are provided with a label on one side surface, in a common receptacle, which has at least one viewing window in the side wall at the level of the label, in particular for bottles which are set in bottle crates and are attached to their jacket Beverage bottles provided with a label, at least one pack unit during or after the setting process

• a. centered on an axis of rotation specified in the receptacle,
• b. rotated about this axis of rotation and
• c. is stopped when the label appears behind the window,
• d. and wherein the packing unit is braked or fixed against rotation about the axis of rotation at least after the rotational setting.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating position of the marking in relation to the window abge especially during the turning process without contact gropes and the turning process is ended when the license plate appears clearly visible in the window. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the packing unit by applying one against the Driving torque greater braking torque is stopped. 4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the packing unit when inserted into the receptacle ter a holding or braking force and then controlled exposed to removable torque that is greater than the braking torque. 5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that several holding or braking forces acting as centering forces radial to the axis of rotation on the packing unit for action to be brought. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized characterized in that the braking or holding and / or Centering forces on the foot section that transmit the torque forces exerted on the head part of the packing unit will. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for bottles boxes, characterized in that the torque over egg the gripping head comprising the bottle head is applied. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized characterized in that the torque by coupling to a Drive unit is applied.   9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized ge indicates that the rotary settings of the individual Pac units successively by at least a drive or clutch unit is made. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized ge indicates that several, especially all, packaging units rotated together in a receptacle, however, can be switched off individually from the rotary drive. 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized characterized in that the packing units, especially after Lifting out of their brake holder in the receptacle, freely suspended in the specified rotational position and on it be lowered into their brake mount. 12. Device for parallel arrangement and holding of a plurality of packing units ( 3 ), which are provided with a label ( E ) on one side surface, in a common receptacle ( 1 ) which has at least one viewing window ( 21 ) at the level of the label ( E ) , 22 ) in a side wall ( 11 , 12 ), in particular for beverage bottles placed in bottle crates and provided with a label on their jacket, which have at least one viewing window in the side wall at the level of the marking, preferably according to one of Claims 1 to 10 , with the following features:

• a) the receptacle ( 1 ) has centering means for centering and rotatably holding at least one packing unit ( 3 ) and
• b) adjusting devices ( 7 ) for preferably non-positively fixing the packing unit ( 3 ) in its rotational position;
• c) an adjusting device ( 27 ) for rotating adjustment of the packing unit ( 3 ) standing in the receptacle ( 1 ) has a coupling element (gripping cap 33 ) that can be attached to and removed from it;
• d) there are also a pushbutton device ( 29 ) for sensing the rotational position of the packing unit ( 3 ) and
• e) a control device ( 28 ) is provided for ending the turning process of the packing unit ( 3 ) depending on its turning position.

13. serving as a receptacle bottle crate, the above a box bottom ( 17 ) between windows ( 21 , 22 ) on side walls ( 11 , 12 ) formed receiving space is divided into storage areas for individual with label ( E ) bottles ( 3 ), in particular according to claim 12, characterized in that for the purpose of braking the bottles ( 3 ) against rotation about their axis on the foot part ( 6 ) indirectly or directly acting braking and holding means ( 7 ) are provided. 14. Bottle crate according to claim 13, the receiving space is divided by partition walls ( 13 , 14 ) into individual receiving compartments ( 24 ), characterized in that the braking and holding means ( 7 ) are arranged in the corner spaces ( 24 ) of the receiving compartments ( 2 ) . 15. Bottle crate according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the braking and holding means ( 7 ) by the boundary walls ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ) of the receiving compartments ( 3 ) in the receiving space for the respective bottle ( 3 ) inwardly projecting, elastically deformable webs are formed. 16. Bottle crate according to claim 15, characterized in that the height of the approximately perpendicularly arranged webs is smaller than the distance of the bottle label ( E ) from the storage space on the bottle ( 3 ). 17. Bottle crate according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the upper inner corner of the webs formed with its outer end on its boundary wall ( 13 , 14 ) is provided with a rounding ( 25 ) or an insertion bevel. 18. Bottle crate according to claim 17, characterized in that the in particular in pairs in each corner space ( 24 ) brought web-like holding means ( 7 ) press more tangentially than radially against the foot part ( 6 ) of the bottle ( 3 ). 19. Bottle crate according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the braking and holding means ( 7 ) are integrally formed hanging on a compartment wall ( 13 , 14 ). 20. Bottle crate according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the braking and holding means ( 7 ) are formed as a bracket or convex shell from the compartment wall ( 11 , 14 ). 21. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the coupling element of the adjusting device ( 27 ) is designed as a gripping head ( 32 ) which engages around the head ( 34 ) of the packing unit ( 3 ) and has parts ( 35 , 351 ) which can be braced around it. 22. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized by the design of the gripping head ( 32 ) with a suction cap connectable to a vacuum source ( 33 ). 23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that the suction cap ( 33 ) by uncoupling the packing unit ( 3 ) from the rotary drive ( 40 ) can be connected to ambient air, in particular by a on the connecting line ( 43 ) to the vacuum source ( 44 ) attached Changeover valve. 24. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the scanning device ( 29 ) on the jacket of the Pac kungseinheit ( 3 ) directed brightness or color sensor ( 29 ) which on the entry of a contrast line of the license plate as the edge ( 48 ) of the label ( E ). 25. The device according to claim 24, characterized in that a signal amplifier is switched on for opening the gripping head ( 32 ) between the gripping head and the sensing device ( 29 ). 26. The device according to any one of claims 12 or 21 to 25, characterized in that a plurality of gripping heads ( 32 ) which are closed together in terms of transmission are connected to a common drive unit ( 40 ), but can be separated individually from this. 27. The device according to one of claims 12 or 21 to 26, characterized in that each gripping head ( 32 ) is assigned its own drive motor ( 40 ).